Hello. If you remember, I started a topic called Kitten Location Problem. My dad finally gave into letting the cat be a permanent indoor cat so we adopted a feral domestic shorthair kitten. Her name's Jewel. She is cute, and active, but doesn't really like staying still. I planned to introduce her to my 3 year old Labrador Retriver, Amber. Amber is quirky, but can be gentle and mellow. She was kind to my past guinea pig, so I was hoping for them to get along. I was about to place Jewel in a cat cage after she ate her meal, but my little brother opened the door in the room me and my kitten were in, so Amber entered the room. Jewel was still eating food, and Amber went a little closer to her. Jewel was afraid Amber would get her cat food, so she got defensive and hissed. I got upset at my brother, and let my dog out. Now I'm afraid they got to a bad start. Is Jewel an anti social kitten? She used to live with her mom in the shelter, how do I introduce my two pets properly? Please help, I don't want them to be enemies forever. I appreciate advice and suggestions. Thanks in advance. Oh, and it would mean a lot to me if you suggest steps on how to introduce my cat and dog properly.

It probably scared the poor little kitten to suddenly see a dog. Take it slow and let them both get used to the idea of another furry friend in the house and they should be fine. Give it time.

I have a door to a laundry room that has a little passageway through it at the bottom about 5"x 8" so the cats can get to the food and litter boxes. When the door is closed they still have free passage. When we get a new cat I isolate the area by putting up wire mesh so they can see and smell each other for a few days. Of course that means a litter box and food has to be relocated to the dining room for a couple days for the resident cats, but the system works well for me. Try cracking open your door just enough for your kitten and dog to see and sniff each other but not come in or go out. Use a door wedge to keep it from opening all the way - I'm talking just a couple inches. I'm going to predict that within a week or so they will be friends!

It probably scared the poor little kitten to suddenly see a dog. Take it slow and let them both get used to the idea of another furry friend in the house and they should be fine. Give it time.

I have a door to a laundry room that has a little passageway through it at the bottom about 5"x 8" so the cats can get to the food and litter boxes. When the door is closed they still have free passage. When we get a new cat I isolate the area by putting up wire mesh so they can see and smell each other for a few days. Of course that means a litter box and food has to be relocated to the dining room for a couple days for the resident cats, but the system works well for me. Try cracking open your door just enough for your kitten and dog to see and sniff each other but not come in or go out. Use a door wedge to keep it from opening all the way - I'm talking just a couple inches. I'm going to predict that within a week or so they will be friends!

If you follow the guidelines I posted above, the chances are good that your new kitten and Amber will get along. However, Jewel will likely always hiss at a new dog (a dog she doesn't know and one to whom she hasn't been properly introduced). Presumably, however, your only concern is that Jewel and Amber get along, which will likely be the case.

I would give Jewel time to get used to the dog on HER terms. I have introduced 3 cats to 2 full time dogs and my kitten has been introduced to many dogs as I take him around to the pet store a lot. The way I did it was allow the cats to come to the dogs on their terms. The dogs were NOT ALLOWED to sniff/chase/bark at/run around/run after the cats only to lay calmly around them. After a while the cats started snuggling with the dogs and they became the best of friends. My kitten used to swat and hiss at the dog ALL THE TIME when he was a very small kitten and now they are best buddies.

Good luck and don't expect them to be instant friends, there will be set backs, but animals lean how to get along if their hum as have faith in them.